SPOTLIGHT
How do you feel that the fields of music and acting lend them- selves to one another? Acting or recording is a quiet thing; it is just me and the
team creating that special moment. When I am on stage, there is so much energy exchanged between me and the fans. I love them all, but they are all very different.
Speaking of acting, has there been one role in particular that you have felt has been similar to yourself? In each character I’ve found a little something in
common, here or there. What I love most about acting though, is that you get to suspend reality and bring a new character to life. It is an amazing experience. Act- ing has always been my first love. I always thought that acting would be my career, that or being a horse jockey (laughter). I am very grateful for the success that I have had with my music, but it has been fun getting back to acting, as well.
Having been in the entertainment business since such a young age, how have you seen the worlds of acting and music change over the years? Well, they are basically the same in terms of the work and creative process, but technology has evolved a lot.
“I really hope that the kids in the LGBT community hear it when I say that they are perfect, just the way they are.
That is why it was so important for me to participate in the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign. I was teased and picked on when I was a kid. It has been a long road, but I am happy with my life now. It does get better!
And that has changed what can be done on screen or in the studio. It is great to have fun experiencing these changes and working with them.
With your book True You, what do you hope that readers learn from reading it? The most important thing to me that I want anyone
reading the book, especially the kids, to walk away with, is that they are perfect just as they are and that they are not alone. If the kids out there can read True You and see that I went through some of the same experiences that they are going through, perhaps, they will know that it will get better. It is not about being gay, straight, black, white or
Latino. It’s not about being too skinny or having curves, it is about being your true you.
I really hope that the kids in the LGBT community hear it when I say that they are perfect, just the way they are. That is why it was so important for me to participate in the “It Gets Better” campaign. I was teased and picked on when I was a kid. It has been a long road, but I am happy with my life now. It does get better!
”
What do you think of the term “icon” and its association to yourself and your career? Thank you. Icon is such a big statement, Elizabeth Tay-
lor, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge—women like that are icons. I feel like I still have so much more to accom- plish in my life. I am happy that people have identified with my work, and am grateful for all the support over the years. For all things Janet Jackson-related, log onto:
janetjackson.com
FUN FACTS: THE MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT
JANET JACKSON
PERSONAL DETAILS Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966, and is the youngest of the nine Jackson siblings.
While most of you nasty boys would call her Ms. Jackson, she actually goes by three different nick- names: “J,” “JJ” and “Dunk.” The latter was bestowed upon her by brother Michael.
She has been married twice; first in 1984, when she eloped with singer James DeBarge, which was annulled. Then in 2000, it was revealed that she was secretly married to René Elizondo for nine years.
She lists her favorite singers as Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye. Her favorite designers are Dolce & Gabbana and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Jackson is a Class of ’84 Valley Professional School graduate, but has stated that she has always wanted (and still does) to go back and study law.
36 RAGE monthly | APRIL 2011
GIMME A BEAT! Her top note that she hits is “e,” while her vocal range is listed as 2nd soprano.
She has sold over 100 million records worldwide, is the only female singer in music history to have five back-to-back number-one Billboard studio albums and is ranked number two following Ma- donna as the most successful artist on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play Chart.
Jackson also became the first singer to have a simultaneous number one with “Black Cat” in 1990 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Rock charts. She also possesses the record for most weeks spent on the R & B charts for “Any Time, Any Place” in 1994.
Janet and Michael Jackson became the first siblings in history of the rock era to have solo num- ber- ones, when she released “When I Think of You” in 1986.
In 1994, she received nominations from both The Golden Globes and The Academy Awards in the category of “Best Original Song”, for her ballad “Again,” which was featured in her film debut, Poetic Justice.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92